VILLAGE OF PORT BYRON

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

120 S. Main Street

Port Byron, Illinois  61275

JANUARY 2, 2007

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on

January 2, 2007, by Mayor Mike Ferretti.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

Roll Call #1:  Present:       Trustees Jeanine Ingalls, Jerry Conner, Dustin Enright, Dennis Healy and Terry Sorensen

Absent:        Trustee Judy VanPaemel (resigned 12/20/06)

A quorum was declared

Also present: Janet Fletcher, Village Clerk; Kevin Farrell, EMC Representative; Nancy Searl, Deputy Clerk;  Bob Ellis, Police Chief; Mike Poel. Fire Chief; Larry Molitor, Building Inspector; Scott Kammerman, Missman Stanley & Associates Engineer; and Graham Lee, Attorney.

 

Trustee Sorensen asked for permission to address the meeting.  He stated that even though there have been resignations from the board, the village residents can be assured that the present board is strong and the resignations have not undermined the workings of the village.

 

Mayor Ferretti then addressed the board regarding the resignations and information presented in recent newspaper articles.  He felt the resignations were due to:

            1st Resignation:            Realignment of committee assignments and trustee

                                                    not attending meetings due to work commitments.

            2nd Resignation:            Trustee moved away from the Port Byron area.

            3rd Resignation:            Mayor Ferretti stated he felt very unhappy regarding

    this resignation.  He stated that the trustee had done an excellent job, but evidently had his reasons for resigning.

            4th Resignation:            Trustee was unhappy with the progress on T.I.F. and

                                                    other issues within the village.

 

GALLERY:  Mr. Bruce Wood addressed the board regarding the business he will be bringing to the village.  The business office of ePower Synergies, Inc., will be at 16724 River Road North.  ePower is a new electric vehicle company founded in 2004.  Mr. Wood introduced his company and its products and answered questions from the board.

 

FINANCE  - Treasurer’s report for December will be presented at the next

TIF DISCUSSION

1.         An invoice for $338.25 was presented from Kathleen Orr for professional services during the month of November.

2.         A report of the 12/19/06 TIF Committee Meeting was presented for review.  A financial report through 12/5/06 was also presented.

3.         Letter from Kathleen Orr announced that Lisa Gagliano has joined her firm.  A new tiered hourly rate system was also presented:  $45.00 per hour for work by law clerk; $145.00 per hour for an associate; and $180.00 per hour for Ms Orr.  No charges will be made for long distance phone calls, mileage, photocopies or facsimile transmissions.

4.         A report from Ehlers & Associates (TIF and Water Tower and Distribution System Feasibility Study) was presented for review.  Some statements in the study were questioned.  Mayor Ferretti will review the report with Ken Williams to get his input.  Question was raised regarding the 47% water distribution system footage noted and how it will impact the project cost.

5.         An interoffice from Kevin Farrell regarding Roger Hetz’ Lakeview VI Reimbursement was presented for review.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.            PUBLIC FINANCE COMMITTEE

1.            Zoning

            a.            Larry Molitor reported that Shawn VanDriessche’s building is close to completion and getting occupancy permits.

            b.            The R. Sharp residence on High Street has been razed.

            c.            The Park house on Main Street will be torn down when the insurance and estate questions are completed.

            d.            Larry Molitor said he will soon present a letter concerning recommendations on zoning for the village.  A zoning meeting will also be             scheduled to discuss the recommendations.

            2.            Planning

                        a)         Meeting is set for January 17, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

                        b)            Trustee Enright asked who would be able to make recommendations to the Planning Commission.  Mayor Ferretti stated that anyone in the village who has an interest in its future should attend the meeting and let his or her opinions be known.

3.            Ordinance – No report

            4.            Grants & Audits – No report

            5.            Personnel

                        a.            A portion of the resignation from Trustee VanPaemel was read.  The mayor stated he was not the presiding officer at the noted TIF meeting and was just there as an interested party.  The mayor accepted Trustee VanPaemel’s resignation effective 12/20/06.

                        b.            Mayor Ferretti stated he has not been able to find anyone to take over the vacated trustee position.  He also noted that if he does not find anyone by next week, he may not fill the vacancy.

B.            PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

1.            Police

                  a.   Monthly report for December 2006 was presented and reviewed.

b.      Chief Ellis reported that the police department computer system has been protected and is now secure thanks in great part to the efforts of Officer Calabria.

c.      Chief Ellis reported he is going to work closely with the R.I. County Sherriff’s Department and will receive information on what is happening within the village when those officers are on duty.

d.      Officers reported there were no problems on New Year’s Eve and everything was very quiet.

2.            FIRE - December 2006 report was reviewed.

3.            Ambulance  - None

4.            Public Health – The second shipment of trash receptacles has been received (first shipment had breakage).  There is approximately $670 left to be spent from the grant.

 

C.            PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

1.            EMC - Monthly report for November 2006 was presented and reviewed.

            2.            Water & Sewer

a.      A letter was presented from Missman Stanley recommending a payment of $195,542.69 be made to Valley Construction for water main extension work. 

b.      A letter was presented from Missman Stanley recommending payment to Peerless Service Company in the amount of $5,760 (partial payment #1).  This is for test pumping the new well.

c.      Bacteria testing of the new well has not been successfully completed.

d.      Attorney Graham Lee reported he has asked for an extension in timing to allow for at least 30 days to evaluate the new pump test.  As soon as information on a successful test is done, Scott Kammerman will advise Lee’s office.

e.      Valley Construction has finished laying the new pipe.  They will now be filling and testing the line to complete the project.

f.      Terry Sorensen and Kevin Farrell have been asked to be representatives to the Washington trip in March.


 

3.         Buildings & Grounds – Terry Sorensen presented plans to extend  the west side of the north storage building.  The cost presented by Wick Building was $13,860.  If the work is done by the Public Works staff during slack periods this winter the cost is estimated at $5,800 (plus labor costs).  The money would be requested from the following:  Cemetery $1,000; B & G $1,000; Streets $1,000 and Water/Sewer $2,800.

4.            Streets & Street

            a.      Trustee Conner stated that MidAmerican Energy reported there would be no major rate increase until approximately the year 2010.

            b.      The Christmas lighting displays have been judged.  Names will be available at the next meeting.

5.      Cemetery – No report

6.            Administrative – None

 

CORRESPONDENCE

            Mayor Ferretti reported having the following information available for review by the board:

a.            A grand opening at the R.I. Juvenile Court Center will be held on January 12, 2007 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

 

OLD BUSINESS -  None

 

NEW BUSINESS – None

 

GALLERY

  1. Mr. Lou Dilauro asked if the new restaurant would start selling food as well as liquor.  He also asked that if they don’t sell food, is that against the village liquor ordinance?  The owner of the new business indicated they would be selling food as well as liquor and that pizzas would be baked in LeClaire and delivered to Port Byron.  As soon as it can be accomplished, a new gas line will be put in for the ovens that are on site (the current gas line is too small).  This should be accomplished within the next 3-4 weeks.  A maximum occupancy permit is also requested based on the square feet of the establishment.  Larry Molitor will help get this completed.  The new restaurant will open Thursday, January 4, 2007, at 4:00 p.m.
  2. Nancy Searl, as a resident of the village, stated that four months is a long time to proceed without filling the vacancy on the board, and there are three or four people who come to the village meetings regularly who would do a fine job.

 

 

There being no further business, at 7:15 p.m. Trustee Conner moved, seconded by Trustee Ingalls to adjourn the board meeting.

 

            Roll Call #2

 

                  Ayes:                  Trustees: Ingalls, Conner, Enright, Sorensen and Healy

                  Nays:                  None

                  Absent:      Trustee  

            Chairman declared motion carried.

 

 

_________________                                ________________________

Approved (Date)                                         Mayor  Mike Ferretti

 

 

                                                                        _________________________

                                                                        Janet Fletcher, Village Clerk

            

 

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